Roger L. Putnam. Vocational Technical Academy. Admission Policy

Transcription

1 Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy Admission Policy This admissions Policy has been developed in accordance with the Massachusetts General Law Chapter 74 (MGL Ch. 74) and the Vocational Technical Education Regulations (CMR ) and has been written to respond to State Admission Policy Guidelines for Selective Public Vocational Technical High Schools in Massachusetts. I. INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT An admissions process is necessary in vocational technical schools where space is an intrinsic limiting factor. Vocational technical shops and laboratories are designed and equipped to serve a specific maximum number of students safely. Consequently, a complex of such shops and laboratories lacks both the space and flexibility to accommodate the possible needs and or interests of all applicants. Therefore a selection process is necessary and all applicants to Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical High School (Putnam) will be evaluated using the criteria contained in this Admissions Policy. The Springfield School Committee approved this policy in November of II. EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT Putnam admits students and makes available to them its advantages, privileges, and courses of study without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, genetic information, disability or homelessness status. If there is a student with limited English proficiency (LEP), a qualified representative from the Springfield school district will assist the applicant in completing the necessary forms and assist in interpreting during the application and admission process upon the request of the applicant. Any students with translation service needs will be directed to the guidance department of the receiving school for support during the admission process. Students with disabilities may voluntarily self identify for the purpose of requesting reasonable accommodations during the entire application and admission processes. Information LEP status and disability submitted voluntarily by the applicant, for the purpose of receiving assistance and accommodations during the entire application process and admission process will not affect their admissions to the school. III. ELIGIBILITY STATEMENT Residents Page 1 of 9

2 Any student currently enrolled in 8 th grade who is a resident of the City of Springfield who expects to be promoted to, or has been promoted to 9 th grade is eligible to apply for fall admission subject to the availability of openings. Residents students will be evaluated according to the criteria contained in this admission policy. Priority for admission is given to City of Springfield residents. Students already attending secondary institutions cannot apply for admission after the end of the first marking period of their sophomore year unless they are already participating in a vocational program. Transfer Transfer students in grades 10 th, 11 th and 12 th grade from another chapter 74 state-approved vocational technical education programs are eligible to apply for admission to the corresponding grade and trade at Putnam. Transfer students will be evaluated according to the criteria contained in this admission policy. Admission is subject to the availability of openings. Nonresidents Nonresident students will be evaluated according to the criteria contained in this admission policy and according to M.G.L. c. 74 s. 8A (please see the guidelines for Vocational Technical Education Program Nonresident Student Tuition Process Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 74 located at M.G.L. c. 74 section 8A requires that the municipality of residences provide transportation to students admitted to Putnam as nonresidents under M.G.L. c. 74, Sections 7 and 7C. Priority for admissions is given to Springfield School district residents. School Choice The Springfield Public School Committee has voted to participate in School Choice. All school choice applicants will be evaluated and ranked using the criteria contained in this Admissions Policy. McKinney-Vento Students who are homeless will be accepted to Putnam Vocational Technical High School according to the selection criteria contained in this admission policy. Home Schooled Students who are formally being home schooled may apply for admission to Putnam, provided all Admissions Policy criteria are followed. The Home School student s parent(s)/guardian(s) must submit a copy of the Home School approval letter from the local school superintendent. Home Schooled students will be accepted to Putnam Vocational Technical High School according to school records and recommendation(s). IV. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Page 2 of 9

3 Putnam is one of several local public high schools in the City of Springfield. Putnam is obliged to serve the residents of the City. It is the responsibility of the Superintendent or his/her designee to supervise the administration of the policies and procedures required to admit and enroll applicants in conformity with this Admissions Policy. The Superintendent of schools or designee, in collaboration with the PIC (Parent Information Center) is responsible for: Determining the standards for admission Development and implementation of admission procedures Processing of applications Ranking of student Acceptance of students according to the procedure and criteria in this Admission Policy Establishing and maintaining of a waiting list of acceptable candidates Putnam is responsible for disseminating information about the vocational technical programs through local school guidance offices to all eight grade students and their parent(s)/guardian(s). V. RECRUITMENT PROCESS Putnam disseminates information about the school and recruits students through a variety of methods. Putnam plans and implements an off-campus Recruitment Road Show, in addition to school tours during the months of October/November in which Putnam students play an integral part as recruitment team members. This process is delivered to all 8 th graders in Springfield s sending middle schools and consists of: A student-delivered presentation about the uniqueness and the benefits of attending Putnam, An opportunity to interact with student presenters and staff while participating in the interactive displays and Parent/guardian tours of Putnam. A School Fair Night, held by Springfield Public Schools, provides and informational presentation for all interested middle school students, parents, and the community at one of the area schools. All Springfield high schools participate in this event. Visitors are able to speak with students and staff from each high school at the different displays that the high schools present. Translation services are provided as needed. VI. APPLICATION PROCESS Students may obtain an application to attend Putnam from their local school Guidance Counselors, PIC (Parent Information Center) or Online on our district and school s websites. District: Putnam High School: Page 3 of 9

4 The applications will be available for pick up or download at any time of the year. For Incoming Freshmen Attend the Putnam Road Show presentation during 8 th grade. Students are encouraged to call Putnam guidance for an optional school tour if they have not participated in the Road Show or if they would like additional information about Putnam and its programs. A parent/guardian must accompany a student who comes to Putnam for an optional school tour. If a number of students from one sending school would like to tour Putnam, the sending guidance counselor must call the Putnam guidance office and arrange for this small group tour. He/she must accompany their students to Putnam. The Springfield school district will provide transportation for small group tours coming from one location. For incoming sophomores Students already attending a secondary institution cannot apply for admission until after the end of the first marking period of their sophomore year. Call Putnam s guidance office to request an optional tour if the student had not toured Putnam Previously. A parent/guardian must accompany the student and provide transportation to the school. Obtain an application from their sending guidance counselor and return the completed application form to their school guidance counselor. Applications are due by December 15 th. It is the responsibility of the local school Guidance Counselor to: a. Complete the designated portion of the application form. b. Forward the completed applications to the Springfield s Parent Information Center (PIC) by the December 15 th deadline. Complete applications include the following information: For applications to 9 th Grade (Fall admission) The average of 7 th grades and 1 st term of 8 th grade marks in English language arts (or its equivalent), social studies, math and science from the report card. The sum of 7 grades and term 1 of 8 th grade unexcused absences from the report card. The out of school suspension records for the current school year to the date of the application. The local school guidance counselor s recommendation For applications to 10th Grade (No later than end of 1 st marking period) The average of the 9 th grade school year grades in English language arts, math, science and social studies, and term 1 of the current school year s marks in English language arts (or its equivalent), social studies, math and science from the report card, The sum of the 9 th grade school year and term 1 of current school year s unexcused absences from the report card, The sum of the 9 th grade school year and term 1 of the current school year s out of school suspension records. Page 4 of 9

5 The local school guidance counselor s recommendation All students who attend Putnam will have been accepted only after being reviewed through the admission format as specified in this Admissions Policy. It is the responsibility of the sending school guidance counselor to ensure that all the necessary components are included with each application and forward the completed applications to the Springfield s Parent Information Center (PIC) by the December 15 th deadline. In the event of an incomplete application, Putnam guidance counselors will work with the sending school to obtain any missing components. In the event of missing components, the sending school s counselor will immediately contact the student s parent/guardian. LATE APPLICATIONS Applications received after December 15 th will be evaluated using the same criteria as other applications and their composite score will be integrated on an established waiting list. However, students currently attending secondary schools enrolled in grade 10 th, 11 th or 12 th cannot apply for admissions to Putnam, unless they are currently enrolled in a program that is currently offered at Putnam and is a Chapter 74 state-approved vocational education program in another district and are transferring as residents to the city of Springfield, MA. TRANSFER STUDENTS FROM ANOTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT Applications from students who are enrolled in a state-approved Chapter 74 vocational technical education program in another school district (transfer student) may be considered for admission (including admission during the school year) if they relocate away from their current school and are interested in the same course of study available at Putnam and in which there is a vacancy. All transfer applicants must follow the same procedures contained in this Admission Policy. An informational meeting at Putnam with their parent/guardian is encouraged. WITHDRAWN STUDENTS Student who withdraw from Putnam, and who are attending or not attending another high school, may reapply to Putnam following the procedures contained in this Admission Policy. HOME SCHOOL Students who are formally being home schooled may apply for admission to Putnam Vocational Technical High School, provided all Admissions Policy criteria are followed. Page 5 of 9

6 The Home School student s parent(s)/guardian(s) must submit a copy of the Home School approval letter from the local school superintendent and if grades are not available, a representative sample portfolio of the student s body of work in English language arts or its equivalent, math, science and social studies. ( 50% grades, 50% recommendation ). VII. SELECTION CRITERIA Completed applications are processed using weighted admissions criteria. A maximum of 80 points can be earned for admission to Putnam. Each applicant will be assigned a score derived from the sum of the sub-scores of the following criteria averaged over 3 years. Scholastic Achievement (Grades): Maximum 20 Points The average of the 7 th grades and 1 st term of 8 th grade marks in English language arts (or its equivalent), social studies, math and science. Grade Averages (Grade) Points (A) (B) (C) (D) (F) 1 Attendance: Maximum of 20 Points The sum of 7 grades and term 1 of 8 th grade unexcused absences from the report card. Number of Unexcused Absences Points Resident students may refer to the Springfield District Attendance Policy online at the PIC website, Discipline/Conduct Record: Maximum of 20 Points Measure (cumulative total of suspension days for grades 6, 7 & 1 st term of grade 8) Points No suspensions 20 Up to 10 days out of school suspension 15 Up to 15 days out of school suspension 10 Up to 20 days out of school suspension days out of school suspension 0 Page 6 of 9

7 Recommendation from sending school guidance counselor: Maximum 20 points Rating Points Excellent 20 Above Average 15 Average 10 Below Average 5 Poor 0 Excellent: student is highly motivated, has outstanding work and study habits, and maintains excellent conduct and citizenship. Above Average: student is motivated, and has excellent conduct and effort. Average: student has good grades, good attendance, is attentive and has minimal discipline issues. Student will follow directions. Below Average: student is not motivated, attendance is fair, behavior is problematic. Student may not follow rules and directions consistently. Poor: student is not motivated to attend school or to do assigned work. Behavior and work habits are less than desirable. VIII. SELECTION PROCESS The PIC (Parent Information Center), in conjunction with the Superintendent or his/her designees will process applications and assign points based on the admission criteria: scholastic achievement (grades), attendance (unexcused absences), school discipline/conduct, and local guidance counselor s recommendation. All applications are reviewed, processed and assigned points. After a point total for each resident applicant has been determined, all resident applicants are placed in descending order of their point total. Resident applicants are then accepted in order of the point total they have achieved. The resident applicant with the highest point total is accepted first, the resident applicant with the second highest point total is accepted second, and so on until all seats are filled. All resident applicants are accepted, declined or place on a waiting list. If openings occur, the seats are filled by accepting resident applicants, like those accepted earlier, are accepted in order of their place on the waiting list, determined by the total points given according to the selection criteria. The waiting list is renewed each year. All students, whose applications are received by December 15 th deadline are notified by the PIC of their status by a letter to their parent(s)/guardian(s) and their school guidance counselor. Page 7 of 9

8 IX. ENROLLMENT In order to enroll at Putnam for the fall, applicant must have been promoted to the grade they seek to enter by their local school district. In addition, they must have passed courses in English language arts or its equivalent and mathematics for the school year immediately preceding their enrollment at Putnam. X. VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL PROGRAM PLACEMENT Students who are accepted as 9 th graders participate in a half school year vocational technical exploratory program designated to help them learn about their talents and interests relative to a variety of vocational technical programs. In addition, vocational technical program (shop) teachers evaluate students during the exploratory program using a uniform rubric. At the completion of the full exploratory program, the students pick their first/second/ third choices for shop. Students earn points for each shop during the exploratory period. The points are then calculated to give the students a cumulative average score. It is to the student s advantage to do well in all shops during this period as first, second and third choices are awarded based on the cumulative average of all exploratory shops. The awarding of the shops will occur after the second marking period of the 9 th grade year. Students are evaluated in the areas of attendance, shop activity and technical skills, shop/academic integration and professionalism. Student s total points are ranked in descending order. Students with the highest scores receive their first choice. Once the shop is full, students receive their second or third choice based on their score. Exploratory Structure: Students initially explore each vocational technical shop for one day. Then, students list their top four exploratory choices and explore each of them for one week. At the end of this exploratory period, each student selects his/her program of choice, as well as a second and third choice from the four explored shops. Possible Points: Students can earn up to 13 points per day and the total number of possible points per day at the end of the exploratory process is based on the length of the marking period. Students who enroll at Putnam after the 9 th grade may explore vocational technical programs that have openings before making a program selection. Students are evaluated and graded by each shop teacher during the period of exploration. If the number of enrollees seeking a Page 8 of 9

9 particular shop exceeds the number of openings for shop placements, the evaluative grades received during exploratory rank order would determine the enrollee(s) who are placed in the particular shop. Students who wish to transfer into another technical area during the school year will be reviewed on a student-by-student basis and moved only if there is space in the receiving technical area. This process is only available to grade nine students and first semester sophomores. XI. REVIEW AND APPEALS PROCESS The applicant s parent/guardian, upon receipt of a letter from the Parent Information Center (PIC) indicating that the applicant was not accepted or was placed on a wait list for Putnam Vocational Technical High School, may request a review of the decision by sending a letter requesting a review to the Vocational Director or designees within 30 days of the receipt of the rejection/wait list letter. The Vocational Director or designee will respond in writing to the letter with the findings of the review. A letter about the appeals process with the appeals form will be sent to the parents/guardians of all the students who were denied admission. Appeals can only be requested if there is a question regarding the student s score. Appeals specifically review the scoring process. This appeals form must be completed and returned to the Scoring Committee at the Parent Information Center within 30 days of the date of the appeals closing date as determined by the Scoring Committee. The Putnam Admissions Committee will review the appeals application and respond to the student/parent/guardian. Page 9 of 9